“I stepped in a ditch. Someone must have just emptied water in it.” The lie made her flesh creep a little. It was pathetic that she couldn’t even tell her own younger brother that she’d spent the afternoon in the mountains. He’d probably be interested in hearing about the steppe eagle they saw, but she knew her father would freak out and possibly never leave her unattended again if he knew she’d been out in a car with a strange man. There was no way she could tell the truth.
Which was ridiculous. “Are you going to follow me into the shower?”
“Why are you taking a shower in the middle of the afternoon?” Her brother’s question grated on her nerves. He wasn’t a bad kid. She’d been trying to get to know him since she’d been back here, since the age difference between them meant they’d never been especially close. He’d only been about six when she’d gone off to the United States for college. He was very by-the-book, though. The kind of person who’d never be able to sleep at night if his homework wasn’t done and his teeth not brushed. He was not someone she’d dare confide in.
“I’m hot. It’s always hot here in Oman, but I guess I’m not used to it anymore.”
“What’s it like living in America? I bet it’s pretty cool.”
His wistful voice made her turn. Leaning against the wall he looked much less like an inquisitor and more like a curious fifteen-year-old. “It is pretty cool. The food takes some getting used to but there’s stuff going on all day and night and more places to go than you can imagine.”
“Do you think Dad would let me go there for college? He let you go.”
She sighed. “I don’t know.” He probably wouldn’t be willing to risk another of his offspring going astray. She hadn’t exactly stuck with the program. “Wait until the dust has settled. I think he’s still stirred up about me being back here with my life in shambles. He doesn’t think America is a very good influence.”
“Do you think it’s a bad influence?”
She frowned. “No. It’s big, though, and confusing. You have to be careful or you can just...get lost.” She’d lost herself, giving her heart and soul to a man who could never be happy.
At least now she could see that the fault lay with him. It had taken some time to gain that perspective. And even now she wondered what she could have done differently. What she could do differently in the future so she didn’t screw up again.
Quasar was different. Excitement flickered in her heart at the thought of him. Khalid walked back down the hall toward his own room, and she sagged with relief. She’d been afraid to even let Quasar cross her mind until her brother had taken his keen eyes off her. She worried about what he might see—a telltale sparkle in her eyes, a giveaway flush in her cheek. Even thinking about him produced a physical reaction. It was startling and disturbing.
She closed the door of her room behind her and glanced down at the wet cuffs of her jeans. She’d better hope Khalid didn’t mention anything to her father. And if he did she’d better have a good story. A glance in the mirror showed that her face was tanned from their afternoon in the sun. She unwound her headscarf and let her hair fall down her back. A memory assaulted her of Quasar’s fingers raking through the long strands, of his hand pressing against the base of her skull as they kissed, so deep and long that she could barely breathe.
Quasar.
Fear mingled with the excitement flooding her veins at the memory of him. What was she doing? She’d let him kiss her. Worse yet, she’d kissed him back. Her lips buzzed at the memory. She’d told him things that she’d never told anyone else: her shame at letting her ex-husband strip away her self-confidence; her fear that she was worthless, unemployable and a disappointment to everyone.
And he was nothing but encouraging. And interested. She had to admit that that alone did a lot to boost her confidence. She smiled at her reflection in the bathroom mirror before she turned on the shower. Her ex-husband had made her feel like no man would ever want anything to do with her. Quasar had already proved him wrong.
But what did he want from her? They’d already kissed and the chemistry was palpable.
Next stop was sex. With no promises.
She’d have to be completely insane to even consider it. Every time she saw him, he occupied more of her brain space, more room in her heart. Of course it was encouraging that her heart was actually beating again, especially when he was nearby, but she didn’t want it to get broken, and since she was still in a fragile state that might happen quite easily.
Quasar was a freewheeling, fun-loving guy who moved on when he got bored. Which could be next week.
The chilly water made her gasp. She needed to cool herself off. Quasar was a fun companion. An exhilarating break from routine. He was not her future, and she’d better remember that.
* * *
Sometimes when people asked too many questions it was easiest to stay silent.
Quasar’s brothers and their families were all sitting around one of the hotel’s private dining rooms, enjoying a lavish dinner. So far he’d managed to avoid revealing anything other than his excursion into the mountains. In the absence of further details they assumed he went alone with a sporting objective.
“Quasar all alone with the kestrels.” Elan broke off a piece of bread. “You’re giving me flashbacks to when you were a kid and you trained that bird to hunt for you. I think you’re channeling your inner Omani again.”
“Nothing wrong with that.” Quasar shot his brother a smile. “And the views from the mountainside are pretty impressive.”
“I am pleased that you’re enjoying what Oman has to offer.” Salim raised his glass. “You can help promote our country in America.”
“I don’t think you need any help. Isn’t the hotel at capacity?” Quasar helped himself to some more rice.
“I have plans for a new hotel just north of here.”
“On the beach? Or out in the desert like Saliyah?”
“Right on the shore, waves lapping at your toes. It’s a property I’ve been saving for the right application. Celia’s been dying to plan the landscape ever since I showed it to her.”
Celia leaned against her husband. It was obvious she loved working with him. “It’s going to be so lush. Not that you’d know it to look at the place now. I don’t think there’s a single plant growing there. Just some old torn fishing nets and driftwood.” She rubbed her hands together with pretend glee. “But I love a challenge.”
“Celia, I get that Salim keeps you busy creating oases in the desert, but don’t you sometimes want to take other jobs?” Quasar was curious about how this whole work/romance thing worked.
“I do. I was in Mexico City last month working on a corporate headquarters there.”
“And the kids stayed at home with Salim?” Quasar topped off his sister-in-law’s glass of lemonade.
Celia nodded. “Of course—we have plenty of help here at the hotel. And sometimes they all come with me. It’s nice now that the kids are young enough that they don’t have to miss school.”
Elan still worked with his wife, Sara, too, though now they were business partners, not boss and assistant. Quasar couldn’t imagine how you could spend all day and all night with someone. Didn’t they ever get tired of each other? That must be what true love was like.
Most likely he wasn’t capable of it. He was better suited to brief affairs. Intense journeys of exploration and enjoyment that ended while everything was still fabulous. He couldn’t wait to continue his voyage into the intriguing world of Dani. Her passion was so unexpected and he suspected he’d just bumped the tip of the iceberg. It was time to take her to his private getaway in the foothills of the mountains. He’d be staying there right now if Salim hadn’t convinced him to stay at the hotel to spend more time with Elan and Sara while they were visiting. He hadn’t even stopped by since he’d been here.
A waiter brought a round of coffees and a plate of dates. The children were excused from the table and started to run around it like maniacs, which made everyone laugh.
Quasar had formed a plan. “Have you guys been out to my house lately? I had a decorator fix it up for me and she sent me pictures, but I haven’t seen what Celia did with the landscape yet. You’ve all kept me so busy I haven’t had a chance to visit.”
“There were twelve frankincense trees on the property,” said Celia. “They hadn’t been tapped in years and we did it ourselves. I’m going to send you some of the finished product for Christmas.”
“Does that mean I’m not invited here for Christmas?” He pretended to look sad. He did feel a little weird about the acknowledgment that he’d soon be gone. He didn’t want to leave. Not without Dani.
The thought struck him like a slap. He’d been on a total of three dates with her. Something about her had captivated him. He couldn’t even explain what it was. Yes, she was lovely. She was sweet. Her vulnerability coaxed out of him a nurturing side he hadn’t previously realized he had.
And then there was the attraction between them. Powerful, insistent, a chemical brew that made him want to kiss her and hold her and make passionate love to her. And for that, he needed peace and privacy and a chance to get the place prepared to entertain her.
“I want to spend some time at my house tomorrow. You know, get a feel for it. There’s no sense in owning a house if I never go there.”
“I’m surprised you went to the mountains today and didn’t even visit it.”
“I planned to but didn’t have time.” And didn’t want to scare the life out of Dani. An unplanned kiss in the wilderness was one thing. Luring her into his lair without scaring her off would take some delicacy.
“Before you become a hermit, Quasar, I want you to know that Sara and I have been hard at work searching for the perfect woman for you.” Celia bit into an olive. “Do you remember her sister, Erin?”
“Of course I do.” A bubbly, pretty girl with a young daughter, Erin had been at both of his brothers’ weddings.
“Her latest boyfriend has turned out to be just as much of a loser as the last two.” Sara took a sip of her lemonade. “So we’ve determined that she needs some help in the matchmaking department. We thought it might be interesting to set you guys up. It’s a slight snag that she lives in Wisconsin and you live in...where do you live these days, anyway?”
“To be determined.” He smiled. “I’m a free agent ready to move where the action takes me.”
“Perfect. We’ll have to get you guys together. There’s a school break coming up in two weeks. I’ll see if we can get her and Erin and her son on a flight out here.”
Quasar stiffened. “I don’t know, Sara. I’m not really ready for a new relationship. I want to take some time, to figure some things out.” With Dani. The last thing he needed was to be set up with someone when there was no way he could be interested in her. He didn’t want to hurt Erin’s feelings, either. She sounded like she’d had enough of that already.
“It can’t hurt to meet her, can it?”
“It might, if we meet at the wrong time and end up blowing it.” He shrugged.
“I suppose you’re right. It’s probably better to wait until you’re ready. I notice you haven’t mentioned that woman you met at the bookshop. I assume she very sensibly brushed you off.”
He felt a sheepish expression pass over his face. How could he keep such a big secret from his own family? All of these people wanted the best for him. Why was he so reluctant to tell them what was happening with Dani? “Actually, she was with me today.”
“Ah.” Salim didn’t look surprised. Or pleased. Sara and Celia smiled at each other. Elan kept a poker face.
“I’ll have to bring her over to meet you all soon. Her name’s Dani, short for Daniyah.”
“That’s a pretty name. I don’t think I’ve heard it before,” said Sara.
“My lawyer was filling my ears with gossip about Daniyah Hassan the other day.” Salim frowned and put his coffee cup down sharply. “It’s not her, is it?”
“I don’t know her last name. Isn’t that funny? I’m not sure I told her mine, either.”
“Well, you should have. That might have put a stop to this before it even started.” Salim’s expression was grim.
“Why?”
“Did she just come back from the States after a failed marriage?”
Quasar sat up. “Yes. How did you know?”
“Salalah maybe be a big city by Omani standards, but it’s a small town by anyone else’s. We all know each other’s business.”
“Isn’t Mohammed Hassan the guy who sued you over that waterfront property?” Elan sipped his coffee.
“Yes. That’s her father.” Salim stared at Quasar. “Twelve years in the courts. That’s why my lawyer’s keeping tabs on the family. I don’t know Daniyah personally, but her father is like a pit bull. The case still isn’t resolved. Though it will be before we break ground next year. Count on it.”
“Why don’t you resolve it amicably?”
Salim blew out a breath. “That land is ours. Our father paid three thousand rials for it in 1976. I have the paperwork to prove it.”
“Then what’s the problem?”
“Old Hassan insists that his father, who sold the land, was sick and under duress and was badgered into selling it. He claims the handshake contract is null and void, and he wants the land back.” Salim crossed his arms. “Not going to happen.”
“I’m guessing the land is worth a lot more now?”
Salim snorted. “Add three zeros and you’re still not close. Hey, the old man needed the cash and he made a deal. I’m sure we’d all be wealthy as kings if we could renegotiate some of the bargains we made at the wrong time. Besides, it’s not like he’s starving. Hassan is one of the best-known engineers in the country, and he has two intelligent sons. Some people should learn to count their blessings.”
“Dani’s not involved in any of that. I doubt she’s even aware of it. She’s here to regroup after her bad marriage.”
“And you’re helping her out with that?” Elan crossed his arms.
“Out of the frying pan, into the fire...” Sara whispered with a wink.
“You do realize that here in Oman you basically need to marry a woman in order to kiss her.” Salim leaned back in his chair, arms still crossed. “You can’t carry on like you’re back in L.A. Especially not with the divorced daughter of a man who’s battling us in court.”
Quasar regretted mentioning Dani. “We’re just getting to know each other. There’s nothing to even be discreet about.”
“Good. Then you can break it off and no one will know.” Salim arched a brow.
“Salim, you should understand from personal experience that it’s not always so easy to break off an unsuitable relationship.” His wife’s eyes twinkled with humor. “You dumped me twice and still ended up married to me.”
“That was different.” His gaze, so filled with love, made Quasar want to shake his head over the transformation of his stolid brother. “We loved each other. Quasar can hardly be in love with a woman he met two days ago.”
“Three days.” Quasar ate a sticky date.
“Not that you’re counting.” Sara winked. “Are you falling in love with her already?”
“All I know is that I enjoy her company and I want to spend more time with her.” He couldn’t explain the powerful feelings she brought out in him. He wanted to protect her, nurture her, make her smile. He wanted to chat with her about little things and see her eyes light up.
“I heard a rumor that her husband was abusive. She may be psychologically damaged.” Salim regarded his brother coolly.
“It’s true about her husband. He sounds like an ass. There�
�s nothing wrong with Dani, though, except that she’s a little wary.”
“As well she might be with a lothario like you on the prowl.” Elan grinned.
“She doesn’t know anything about me.”
Sara laughed. “Believe me, women can tell a ladies’ man. You’re far too good-looking for your own good, for one thing.”
“But you still want to set me up with your sister?”
“I know you’re a good man at heart. You just need the right woman to steady you.”
“And Daniyah Hassan is not that woman,” growled Salim. “A divorced woman can have a hard time finding her way in our traditional society. If word gets out that she’s had an affair?” He shrugged. “Do the right thing and let her be.”
“I can’t believe you’re worried about her reputation if her father is your sworn enemy.”
“Are we the Three Musketeers? I don’t have sworn enemies. I have business rivals. And her father doesn’t even qualify as one. He’s a mere...insect buzzing in my ear.”
Quasar laughed. “Then what I do with his daughter doesn’t really matter, does it?”
“The Al Mansur family has a reputation to protect.”
“You work on your reputation as a ruthless and brilliant hotelier, and I’ll tend to my own as an international playboy.” Might as well make light of the situation. Attempts at genuine discussion were getting him nowhere. “Now, isn’t it about time for me to read the kids a bedtime story?” He raised his voice so the children, who were still running around the table at full tilt, could hear him.
“Yes, Uncle Quaz! Please do!” The resulting flurry of activity was just the distraction he needed. Quasar vowed never to mention his love life to his family again. He also decided not to mention the dispute over the land to Dani. It was sure to spook her and it really had nothing to do with them. When the time was right he’d approach her father and find a solution that would make everyone happy. In the meantime, all that mattered was making Dani happy.
* * *
“It’s not that far away, only thirty minutes or so. It’s in the foothills.”
Her Desert Knight Page 6